It’s so obvious now.
Like it was there all along.
Maybe it was. Indeed maybe this was Bill Belichick’s vision, his master plan as he put the pieces of the 2021 Patriots together with an unprecedented free agent spending spree and team-building mosaic.
Now, the quarterback. (Apologizes to recently re-signed “returning starter” Cam Newton, it is what it is. And sorry Jarrett Stidham, not sure why exactly you may never get your shot.)
But it’s right there in front of us all.
The answer at quarterback in New England is as clear as (Draft) day.
Yup, after less than a week of work in free agency having spent a couple hundred million dollars – still feels funny to write that about a Belichick team, one that previously seemingly shunned freewheeling free agent spending of the sort – the Patriots are perfectly positioned to trade up in next month’s NFL Draft to secure the franchise quarterback of the future in Foxborough.
After all Belichick’s boldly aggressive moves, New England now has a pretty solid, rebuilt roster on both sides of the ball.
There are newfound weapons at both tight end and wide receiver, led by Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.
The offensive line is stout, experienced and deep.
The defense has projected impact playmakers and the type of versatility that Belichick’s Patriots have always prioritized for weekly game plans that so often give the opposition fits.
Unlike a few weeks ago when guys like Matthew Stafford may have had reason to look down their face masks with disdain at the idea of landing in New England, the team is now a more ready-made squad for any prospective quarterback.
Including an incoming talented rookie.
With the roster impressively restocked and a bridge QB in place on a one-year deal (again, apologies Cam!) the Patriots are truly perfectly positioned to go get whichever prospect might be the passing apple of Belichick and Josh McDaniels’ hungry eyes.
Maybe that’s a deal up to the top three for Zach Wilson, the BYU phenom drawing comparisons to Patrick Mahomes.
Even if Wilson is out of reach and ends up going No. 2 to the Jets there are obviously other options.
Depending on who you read or believe, Ohio State’s Justin Fields or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance might be top-five picks or may slip close to the Patriots No. 15 selection.
Belichick and McDaniels can decide which guy they want, even if Mac Jones is a consideration, and where exactly they need to trade to in order to get him.
The point is they’ve indeed gotten to the point that trading up for a quarterback can and should be the consideration, pretty much the final salvo in an offseason assault on their vocal critics.
With so many holes already filled, trading that No. 15 pick as well as one or more future first-round picks would be sound business.
After all, if the offseason has been as productive as Belichick hopes, those future selections aren’t going to be prime values but likely more in the 20-32 range. Some Belichick-friendly ESPN analysts already are projecting a five-game jump in improvement in New England. Quick math, that’s a projected 12-win team at Gillette next fall!
And while there are other still other ways to procure a high-end NFL passer, the top of the draft is remains the most fruitful. That’s especially true in a class of quarterbacks as strong as this one with a potential down year at the position on the horizon in 2022.
Beyond a traditional trade, another thing the Patriots may offer opposing teams is an actual chance at Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson.
Wait, come again?
Is this some NBA-style, three-team mega deal we’re talking about?
Nope.
A team like the frenemy-led Dolphins – who might want to give 2020 first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa a little more time to prove or disprove himself as they wait out the Texans insistence that Watson isn’t being dealt – would have more draft capital at Brian Flores’ disposal to pursue a proven franchise QB in a trade.
By NFL rule teams can only trade three of their own future first-round picks, but giving Miami two future first-round picks in a trade would stock their cupboard with more ammo for a potential deal to send five – yes, five! – first-round picks to Houston or even Seattle if those teams end up doing the still seemingly unthinkable.
The same would be true for other would-be trade partners in the top 10.
Trade up, Bill!
Continue with your “uncharacteristically aggressive” offseason approach.
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but be like the Browns or the Bills or even the team-to-beat Chiefs, and go get your first-round stud QB near the top of the draft to build around and lead you back to the playoffs.
The time is right.
Your team is now right.
After an already impressive aggressive offseason rebuilding your roster through free agency, drafting a franchise QB for the third time in your Patriots career (Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo) could be the final feather in your aging GM cap. It would stuff a sock in the mouth of all those critical of your past personnel missteps.
Mahomes, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow. All are recent high first-round draft pick quarterbacks who’ve brought either playoff wins or at least nearly immediate hope of future January successes to teams lacking direction in recent years.
Your Patriots could be next.
Do it, do it!
